Day Fifty-Two

Jesus commissioned the seventy to go out and be witnesses in these verses. Not only was He sending them, but His Spirit would abide with them.

Instructions were given as to what to pack and not to pack. Looks like they were not to pack much. I must say I have a problem in this area, because for trips I tend to over pack, I guess, thinking I might get stranded somewhere or someone else might need something.

Angie and I went on a trip this summer to the “She Speaks” conference and I packed a separate luggage just for my shoes. Now this bag was not large, kind of medium sized. I had some heels, flip flops, tennis shoes, (if we decided to exercise—yeah, right!) and sandals.

My problem was, I didn’t want to put those shoes in with my clothes, so, I packed a separate suitcase. It sounded smart to start with, but when we started packing all our luggage in the back of my vehicle- Jeff (Angie’s husband) just laughed when he saw my separate shoe luggage along with Angie’s two book bags with our other luggage.

Well, what can I say- God didn’t tell me not to bring it! However, Christ told the “appointed seventy” in vs. 4 to “carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes…..” Maybe He wanted them to solely rely on Him to take care of them. It is unclear, but I know He had a very good reason. We don’t always have to know His reason for things, but part of growing in Christ is being able just to trust and obey.

In verses 10-15 Christ expresses the response and results of those not accepting them. Vs. 16 breaks it down even further to say: “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” As a christian, we bear His name. Everything we do should be a reflection of Christ. Let’s hold the banner high and share Him with everyone. “This world is not my home, I’m only passing through.

“Lord Jesus, as uncomfortable as it can sometimes be, I must take You at Your Word: I am blessed when people insult me and persecute me and falsely say every kind of evil against me because of You (Matt. 5:11). The person who rejects Your truth does not reject man, but You, Lord, who have given us Your Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 4:8). May I live with this understanding even when it hurts.“